Pointing the other way: Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum (left) and secretary-general Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (second right) take part in a fun walk in the West Kalimantan capital of Pontianak on Sunday. Anas has defied pressure to relinquish his post due to allegations of his involvement in a corruption case. Antara/Arief Nugroho

The Democratic Party has to replace Anas Urbaningrum until it is proved that he is not guilty by the court.

E. Nurdin
Jakarta

Whatever Anas Urbaningrum and the Democratic Party’s elite do to save the party’s image, which has been tarnished by corruption allegations, is a hopeless and futile effort.

The party was established to serve as a political vehicle for SBY in his campaign to be elected Indonesia’s president. Now, with SBY’s diminishing image due to his indecisive leadership, and the fact that he is legally not eligible to serve as president for a third term, the existence of the Democratic Party is no longer needed.

For the party’s elite, the best thing to do now is to look for another party (or parties) to join.

Soebagjo Soetadji
Jakarta

If Anas was a real leader with any moral fiber, in the face of the damaging claims being made against him, he would volunteer to stand down or “stand aside” pending an independent investigation of the claims against him. If the claims are baseless, he could resume his position with increased standing. But to just “hang on” in the face of these allegations and ridicule the claims is not very wise.

The party leadership and other senior positions should depend entirely on electoral support through true democratic principles and natural leadership qualities, not on financial backing.

If he knows in his heart that the claims of corruption are indeed true, in the interests of the party and the Republic of Indonesia he should resign immediately.

Nairdah
Jakarta

It’s a catch-22 actually. On one hand, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is waiting for state palace approval to detain Anas, but on the other hand, the ruling party wants nothing but firm action from the KPK; to put it into a simple image, a kind of ping-pong game is going on.

Meanwhile, Bambang Widjojanto has disappointed us all by refusing to sign the warrant to enable the KPK to detain Anas and, as for Busyro Muqoddas, we just can’t expect anything from him, right?

Kareem B.
Depok, West Java

Dismiss Anas and bring him to the KPK. I am sure he will sing and many more corruptors will be caught.

Mariatul Asma

Fire him and many others will be implicated for accepting the money, and then execute them in accordance with the law. They have caused the Democratic Party to lose the public’s trust.

I believe the party will regain public confidence if it can solve all the cases wisely.

Fitri Nurjanah

Being the ruling party and especially, the Democratic Party should not tolerate questionable characters within its fold. A thorough investigation is necessary in order to regain the integrity of the party, if the public is still expected to trust the party.

SBY and some of his smart ministers have started making the right moves toward better economic development, although a little too late. He has yet to go against his opposition parties who would dislike any improvements he tried to make for the benefit of the country.

By the way, are we to suppose that the eternal bickering among our parties will only form an entrenched crab mentality, which will eventually leave the people, who elected them to office in the first place, ignored and poverty-stricken?

We really should do better than this.

Moeljono Adikoesoemo
Jakarta

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